They save this mediocre series right at the end. This and the lumberjack match really shine a luminous glare on the fact that these two have worked best together in the matches that have forced them to remain in a ring together and wrestle 🤼

Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4

Homicide vs Danielson - Bo5 - Cage (2-2) 🤼

Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️

But then, the negative. I feel safe now calling out that Gibson is not a great seller. Previously he's been inconsistent, here he is consistent but not intense. Arm work is a huge focus of this match, and a spot like this divorce court I would want to hear a piercing scream ring out. 🤼

***3/4

Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼

First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️

Jack Evans vs Delirious vs Ebetaro vs Samoa Joe 🤼

A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***

Alex Shelley vs Roderick Strong 🤼 #ROH

This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4

Aries (c) vs Shelley 🤼

Aries looks phenomenal in this match from an executional point of view. Not having to wrestle as an underdog accentuates how cool he is on offence. Probably his most "The Guy" showing so far. Shelley always fun too.

Momentum swings in the third act are very abrupt. - ***1/2

Punk vs Rave - Dog Collar 🤼

A Punk masterclass. I was extremely critical of his first year in the company, but this match, the feuds he's had in 2004, the promo he cuts after this, wow. He's on his own level on this roster right now. Mania main eventer on the indies.

An all time blade job - ***3/4

Joe loses rope breaks to closed fists - his unfamiliarity with the rules creating a believable route for Jay to win, lovely booking. In the end though, Joe is Joe and Jay is just Jay and there's still a pecking order. The Champ is Here (again)

A vintage Joe humper. - ****1/4 🤼

Jay Lethal (c) vs Samoa Joe 🤼

Jay is excellent here, playing the part of student not taking any shit from the master to perfection. Joe for his part is just so incredibly giving to Jay, while still managing to maintain his invincible aura. Dives on his neck for a couple of suplexes like a champ. ⬇️

Whitmer & Jacobs (c) vs Roddy & Evans 🤼

Just when I was about to say Roddy & Evans had got a little formulaic, they come to the table with a pile of new double teams for this one. Frenetic pace, crazy spots, rabid crowd. The best tag title match since The Briscoes were still here. - ***3/4

James Gibson vs Black Tiger (Romero) 🤼

Crowd are really into this, trying to play their part in proving that ROH had nothing to do with BOSJ disaster. Romero is good under the mask, both a little more dynamic, and a little more vicious. Two great technicians again (lot of those recently) - ***1/4

Homicide vs Bryan Danielson - Bo5 - Lumberjack (2-1) 🤼

Comfortably their best match in this series.

Turns out the stip being that the two good wrestlers are forced to stay in ring and wrestle makes for good wrestling. Fun wrinkle with the lumberjacks being scared to touch either guy. - ***1/4

Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼

From a mechanical standpoint this match is breath-taking to watch in places, two guys with impeccable execution.

A reign making defence from Aries. I'm a little unhappy with some of Gibson's selling in the back half, not my first time pointing it out. - ***3/4

Cabana vs Nigel vs Shelley vs Joe 🤼

Colt and Nigel elevate their rivalry from fun competition, to heated and irritated. Joe has a wonderful moment fucking with Nigel's headstand, the only person on the roster truly above it so far. Overcomplicated stip in a multi-man issue again - ***1/4

Jay Lethal (c) vs Spanky 🤼 #ROH

Two nicely intersecting stories here compound in Lethal getting the win, firstly the classic Champion knows the rules better than the challenger angle, and secondly a really solid working over of Spanky's back. Lethal's fundies are on show yet again - ***1/2